English
First: It is recommended to say the following imploration for forgiveness seventy times each day in Sha’ban:
اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰهَ وَ اَسْاَلُهُ التَّوْبَةَ
I implore for the forgiveness of Allah and I pray Him for approval of my repentance.
Second: It is recommended to recite the following imploration for forgiveness seventy times each day in Sha’ban:
اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰهَ الَّذِيْ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ
I implore for the forgiveness of Allah. There is no god save Whom,
الرَّحْمٰنُ الرَّحِيْمُ
the All-beneficent, the All-merciful,
الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّوْمُ
the Ever-living, the Everlasting,
وَ اَتُوْبُ اِلَيْهِ۔
and to Him I turn repentant.
However, some narrations have mentioned this imploration with some difference in the order of the statements, by preceding the phrase, “alhayyu alqayyumu” to “arrahmanu arrahimu”. At any rate, any form of the supplication is acceptable.
According to narrations, the best words that are advisably said in Sha’ban are the implorations for the forgiveness of Almighty Allah (i.e. istighfar). Hence, to implore for Almighty Allah’s forgiveness seventy times a day in Sha’ban is equal to imploring for His forgiveness seventy thousand times a day in the other months.
Third: It is recommended to give alms in this montheven if it is as small as a half date. Almsgiving in this month brings about rescue from Hellfire. In this respect, it has been narrated that when Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) was asked about the merits of observing fasting in Rajab, he answered, “Why do you not ask about the merits of observing fasting in Sha’ban?” “What is then the reward of one who observes fasting on one day in Sha’ban?” asked the narrator. The Imam (a.s.) answered, “The reward will be Paradise. I swear it by Allah.” The narrator then asked again, “What are the best deeds that should be done in Sha’ban.” The Imam (a.s.) answered, “Almsgiving and imploring for forgiveness are the best deeds in Sha’ban. Verily, if anyone of you gives alms in Sha’ban, Almighty Allah will breed that alms in the very same way as you breed your small camels. Hence, this alms will be as huge as Mount Uhud on the Resurrection Day.”
Fourth: It is recommended to repeat the following litany one thousand times in Sha’ban:
لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللّٰهُ
There is no god save Allah
وَ لَا نَعْبُدُ اِلَّا اِيَّاهُ
and we serve none save Him,
مُخْلِصِيْنَ لَهُ الدِّيْنَ
being sincere to Him in obedience,
وَ لَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُوْنَ
though the unbelievers are averse.
This devout rite brings about a great reward. The reward of one who repeats this litany in Sha’ban is that one is awarded the reward of serving (Almighty Allah) for one thousand years.